PHOTO GALLERY (5)

November 2009 Jeep Shots

Anti-KJ
Jess and Sabrina of Cedar Park, Texas, is another couple that graciously sent pictures so we wouldn't be forced to run any more Liberties in the magazine. This '01 Wrangler has been upgraded with front and rear Dana 44s stuffed with Eaton E-Lockers and 4.10 gears. Old Man Emu stepped in with a 4-inch lift kit and long-travel shocks to provide a great ride and clearance for the 33x12.50R15 BFG Mud Terrain tires. The picture was shot in the hills near Marble Falls, Texas, and Jess tells us that the Jeep was built to be capable on the trail yet have great road manners. From the other pictures we saw, we'd say these Texans succeeded.

True Blue Five
This '67 CJ-5 is separated from the factory by 42 years of innovation, but sometimes old tech just works. Joe Walker of Isleton, California, has left the odd-fire 225ci V-6 in the Jeep, added an HEI distributor and a 470cfm Holley Truck Avenger carburetor and called it good. He left the odd engine bolted to the original T-90 transmission and Dana 18 T-case with a swapped-on Warn overdrive unit. Axles have survived the test of time as well, with the Dana 27 still hanging tough out front with the stock 5.38 gears and an added Power-Loc. Out back a Dana 44 has matching gears and an aftermarket Detroit Locker. This picture was taken at Sierra Trek on the Fordyce Trail near Truckee, California.

Not Much Left
This '92 YJ was a daily driver for Brandon Reno of Mesa, Arizona, for 11 years. In '06 it was torn down and sat as a frame on jack stands while parts were accumulated and time allocated. Then in
3 1/2 weeks it was built with a 4:1 Klune-V underdrive, twin-sticked Ford Bronco Dana 20, a Ford 8.8 rear axle with a spool and a Dana 30 front with Yukon shafts and a Lock-Right. DOM tie rods push the front 36-inch Super Swamper TSLs around thanks to the motivation of a Redneck Ram. A custom spring-over conversion provides lift in the front with coil springs and custom links out back pushing the wheelbase out to 110 inches.

Last of the Best
Our favorite unibody Jeep is likely the Cherokee, with its bulletproof drivetrain and low buy-in price, it's hard to beat. And of the Cherokees, we are suckers for the '01 model year. There is just something about the last of the line that we like. This '01 hails from San Clemente, California, and is owned by Jake Mcleish. He's left the stock 4.0L and AW4 alone, but swapped in a NVG241OR out of a Rubicon TJ. He then added a 4 1/2-inch lift to clear 33x12.50R15 BFG ATs wrapped around Cragar Soft 8 wheels. ARB Air Lockers were swapped into the front low-pinion Dana 30 and rear Dana 44 along with 4.56 gears. Eventually this XJ will be a rock crawler, but for now it is a daily driver and weekend warrior.

Imaginary
When we saw the title of this email ('07 Jeep Wrangler LJ), we just figured it was going to be a four-door JK. Nope. Gennadii Phylimonov from San Diego, California, must just have his wires crossed. Because last we checked, there was no '07 model year LJ, so this might be the coolest imaginary Jeep we've ever seen. The Jeep is packed with stuff like a front Ford 9-inch axle and a rear Dana 44, both with ARB Air Lockers and 4.88 gears. Its also got a 6-inch Full Traction long arm lift kit that rides above a set of 35x12.50R15 Goodyear MT/Rs. Inside there is a Rock Hard 4x4 roll cage that keeps the occupants safe while outside front and rear Poison Spyder Customs front and rear tubular fenders keep the Jeep's body safe. A free-flowing Spintech exhaust cuts down on backpressure without sounding like a teed-off mosquito.

US-ZJ
Really, the only thing this ZJ has to do with the military is the fact that its owner, Specialist Nick Langen, is in the US Army and stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. There is no OD paint on a completely-civilian Jeep, there are no tank treads mounted to the axles (although Nick is a tank mechanic), and this is just a well-built ZJ. Nick bought the Rubicon Express adjustable front and rear track bars, 22-inch stainless brake lines, and quick disconnects front and rear while overseas. He topped that pile of parts off with Rusty's Offroad rebuildable rod ends, front light bar, and a steering conversion with a knuckle-to-knuckle tie rod. Then when he came back to the States on leave, Nick drafted his dad and brother to help install the suspension stuff, as well as cap the V-8 with a Flowmaster muffler, Hypertech PTM, MSD coil, K&N cold air intake, and an electric fan. Great ZJ, Nick, and thanks for serving.